Born to Shine on the Centre Line: Kate Andrews
Meet Kate Andrews, a rider from Shropshire who has been on an incredible journey with her horse, Nancy. We sat down with her to hear about her story, her bond with Nancy and her passion for dressage.
A Lifelong Love of Horses
Kate's love for horses began at the young age of four, introduced to the equestrian world by her parents. This passion led her to a driving yard where she first met Nancy, a stunning black Friesian. 'I absolutely fell in love with Nancy,' she says. After a few years and a change in her own career, Katie returned to the yard and seized the opportunity to buy her. 'I swooped in and bought her,' she recalls. That was four years ago, and they've been an inseparable team ever since, with a history spanning seven years.
Nancy, a 13-year-old Friesian, is more than just a horse to Katie. She's a partner who has been there through thick and thin, even offering 'the best shoulder massages' in exchange for a good scratch.
Overcoming Challenges and Celebrating Achievements
Kate openly shares that last year was tough as she dealt with postnatal depression, but she's now 'finally coming out the other side...phew!' Her biggest achievement to date, she says, is not just finding the horse of a lifetime, but also managing to juggle family life and her riding.
Currently competing at Intro level, Kate and Nancy are focused on their goals for 2023: 'Working towards Prelim and trying to crack the right canter lead.' The right canter is their biggest challenge, but they're taking it one stride at a time. Her top tip for preparing for a test? 'Put the baby to bed and run out as fast as possible, haha!'
A Passion for Dressage Anywhere
Without transport, Dressage Anywhere has been a perfect solution for Kate. She discovered it in 2023 and loves the convenience of being able to ride tests from home and the 'lovely judges' comments' that come with them. For anyone new to dressage, Kate offers a piece of advice that's both simple and true: 'Enjoy yourself, and remember, riding a straight line is hard for everyone!'
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